The Camp Fire, in less than 24 hours, had torched over 31 square miles and scorched Paradise, California.
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Firefighters battle flames at a burning apartment complex in Paradise, north of Sacramento, Calif. on Nov. 09, 2018. A rapidly spreading, late-season wildfire in northern California has burned 20,000 acres of land and prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for thousands of people. As many as 1000 homes, a hospital, a Safeway store and scores of other structures have burned in the area as the Camp fire tore through the region. (Photo: Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images)

"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor," Trump tweeted. "Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!"

Later on Saturday, Trump tweeted appreciation for the firefighters battling the blazes: "Our hearts are with those fighting the fires, the 52,000 who have evacuated, and the families of the 11 who have died. The destruction is catastrophic. God Bless them all."

More than 4,000 are fighting the Camp and Woolsey Fires in California that have burned over 170,000 acres. Our hearts are with those fighting the fires, the 52,000 who have evacuated, and the families of the 11 who have died. The destruction is catastrophic. God Bless them all.

Authorities confirmed late Saturday that the death toll in the California wildfires has risen to 23 people, making it second deadliest wildfire in state history, according to Cal Fire records. The Oakland Hills Fire killed 25 people in 1991.

Rice decried both the tone of Trump's earlier tweet and its factual basis.

He called the assertion that California’s forest management policies were to blame for the fires "dangerously wrong."

Wildfires don't start in forests alone — they also begin in populated areas and fields with "parched vegetation," he wrote.

And much of California's forests are under federal control, not the state's, Rice's statement said.

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After a brief delay to let a downpour pass, volunteers resume their search for human remains at a mobile home park in Paradise, Calif., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. A team from Orange County in Southern California is among several teams conducting a second search of a mobile home park after the deadly Camp wildfire torched part of Butte County in Northern California. Task force leader Craig Covey, in blue jacket at center, says his team is doing a second search because there are outstanding reports of missing people whose last known address was at the mobile home park. Kathleen Ronayne, AP

Eric Darling and his dog Wyatt are part of a search team from Orange County in Southern California who are among several teams conducting a second search of a mobile home park after the deadly Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. The team is doing a second search because there are outstanding reports of missing people whose last known address was at the mobile home park. They look for clues that may indicate someone couldn't get out, such as a car in the driveway or a wheelchair ramp. Kathleen Ronayne, AP

Steven McKnight, right, and Daniel Hansen saw through large pieces of sheet metal so they can be moved to allow cadaver dogs to search beneath them for signs of human remains at a mobile home park in Paradise, Calif., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. They said the mobile home park had already been hand searched, so they were re-examining it with search dogs. Kathleen Ronayne, AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, photo, two oak trees stand on a rain-soaked, burned-over hillside following the Woolsey Fire in Agoura Hills, Calif. In Southern California, more residents were allowed to return to areas that were evacuated due to the 151-square-mile Woolsey Fire as crews worked to repair power, telephone and gas utilities. A storm on Thanksgiving Day passed without causing significant mudslides, but forecasters said more rain was possible next week. John Antczak, AP

Amy Sheppard accepts banana bread from Margarita and William Bradbury as she packs up items outside her tent in a Walmart parking lot in Chico, Calif., that's been a makeshift campground for people displaced by wildfire, Wednesday morning, Nov. 21, 2018. Sheppard lost her home in Magalia to the Camp fire. She was staying in the tent for four days with her sister and 1-year-old niece. They are moving to a motel because of rain that began Wednesday. Kathleen Ronayne, AP

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger serves breakfast to firefighters Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, in Chico, Calif. Schwarzenegger has made a surprise visit to firefighters battling a deadly blaze in Northern California, helping serve them breakfast while providing encouragement. Schwarzenegger said Wednesday he was in Budapest, Hungary, when he heard the fire had leveled the town of Paradise. He said he wanted to visit the scene and show his appreciation for firefighters who risk their lives. Destiny Lestenkof, Destiny Lestenkof via AP

Search and rescue crews dig through the burnt remains of a business as they search for human remains on November 21, 2018 in Paradise, Calif. Fueled by high winds and low humidity the Camp Fire ripped through the town of Paradise charring over 150,000 acres, killed at least 81 people and has destroyed over 18,000 homes and businesses. The fire is currently at 80 percent containment and hundreds of people still remain missing. Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Firefighters with California Task Force 4, a FEMA-sponsored urban search and rescue group based in Oakland, search Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, through the rubble of trailers destroyed by the Camp Fire. Jason Pohl/The Republic

The community came together to honor those who have been affected by the Camp Fire during a candlelight vigil and service at the First Christian Church of Chico, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Chico, Calif. Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY Network

A woman uses a shopping cart to help move her belongings from the field next to the Walmart in Chico, Calif., on Nov. 18, 2018, as officials work to close the make-shift camp that formed as people fled the Camp Fire. FEMA, Red Cross and other agencies were helping to place the remaining people at the camp. KELLY JORDAN, USA TODAY Network

A volunteer member of an El Dorado County search and rescue team uses orange spray paint to mark the ruins of a home to show that no human remains were found at the location in Paradise, Calif. on Nov. 18, 2018. SUDHIN THANAWALA, AP

Ryan Belcher, left, comforts his daughter Zoeylee, 10, where they are camping with their family at the Walmart in Chico, Calif. The Belcher family lost their home and vehicles to the Camp Fire. Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK

Cars drive on the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge in San Francisco, Nov. 17, 2018, as the California wildfires smoke brings the poor air quality to Northern California. According to Purple Air, an air quality monitoring network, the smoke in California is worse than smoggy cities in India and China. JOHN G. MABANGLO, EPA-EFE

People wait in a long line to get into the former Sears store in Chico, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. The empty store now houses FEMA and a host of other local, state and government agencies to help those affected by the Camp Fire. Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK

Ryan Belcher, left, and his wife Casey sit next to a pick-up truck that Ryan's boss loaned them. The Belcher family lost their home and vehicles in the Camp Fire. The children sleep in the truck at night and the parents share a small tent in a field next to the Walmart in Chico, Calif., Nov. 17, 2018. Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK

Paradise Unified School Board member Richard Gingery Jr. cannot believe the devastation as he looks over the remains of the continuation high school in Paradise, Calif., after the Camp Fire devastated the area, Nov. 15, 2018. Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK

A tent glows from a light inside as people live in a make-shift tent compound next to the Walmart in Chico, Calif. Nov. 15, 2018. The parking lot and field next to it have become a refuge for evacuees of the Camp Fire which devastated Paradise. Officials are closing the area on Sunday and working to find a more sustainable housing solution for those affected by the fire. Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK

Jasmin Hamburg carries her youngest son Aiden, 10 months and holds the hand of her older son Lucas, 4, as she walks back to the tent compound next to the Walmart in Chico, Calif. Nov. 15, 2018. The parking lot and field next to it have become a refuge for evacuees of the Camp Fire which devastated Paradise. Officials are closing the area on Sunday and working to find a more sustainable housing solution for those affected by the fire. Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK

Search and rescue personnel walk to their next destination to comb through debris searching for remains in a neighborhood near Pentz Road in Paradise, Calif, after the Camp Fire devastated the area, Nov. 16, 2018. Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK

People look through clothing and other items in front of the old Toys 'R Us building where a make-shift camp has been set up to help fire victims of the Camp Fire.(Kelly Jordan / USA TODAY NETWORK) (Via OlyDrop) Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK

Firefighter Ross Miller fires an incendiary round into a fire line in the Camp Fire as part of a control burn Near Bloomer Hill in Butte County in CalIf. Nov. 14, 2018. Thomas Hawthorne/USA TODAY Network

Maria Lewis, a volunteer, folds and sorts boxes of donated clothing for the people who have taken refuge in the Walmart parking lot in Chico, CA, Wednesday, November 14, 2018. Lewis who lives north of Chico, had the day off and decided she needed to be here helping those who have suffered from the Camp Fire. Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK

Firefighter Brandon Feller looks into a control burn used to help fight the Camp Fire Near Bloomer Hill in Butte County in Calif. Nov. 14. 2018. Feller was burned in a fire earlier in the year and after being cleared for medical leave returned to work at the Camp Fire. Thomas Hawthorne/USA TODAY Network

Daryl Merritt, 55, of Paradise, sits in his tent compound in a field next to the Walmart in Chico, CA, Wednesday, November 14, 2018. Merritt has no idea if his home survived the Camp Fire but is making the best of things with new friends and neighbors. Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK

A San Francisco firefighter uses an axe to dismantle a burned mobile home as he searches for human remains at a mobile home park that was destroyed by the Camp Fire on Nov. 14, 2018 in Paradise, Calif. JUSTIN SULLIVAN, Getty Images

Sarah Gronseth kisses her dog Branch in the bed of a truck in a parking lot, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Chico Calif. Gronseth, a teacher, evacuated some of her high school students in her truck as the fire bore down on the high school in Paradise, Calif. She lost her home in the fire. John Locher, AP

Jennifer Fuller with her children Sierra, Mary and Bear pick up supplies in Chico, Calif. on Nov. 13, 2018, after surviving the Camp Fire that destroyed their home in Paradise, Calif.
SCOTT CLAUSE, The Daily Advertiser via USA TODAY Network

A dog is treated for severe burns on its paws from the Woolsey Fire. Volunteer veterinarians with Veterinary Angels and The Little Angels Project, created a tent at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., to treat animals injured or displaced by the fires. Sandy Hooper, USA TODAY

A cat is treated for burns and smoke inhalation from the Woolsey Fire. Volunteer veterinarians with Veterinary Angels and The Little Angels Project, created a tent at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., to treat animals injured or displaced by the fires. Sandy Hooper, USA TODAY

Firefighters put out a hotspot as the Hill Fire burns on Nov. 12, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Ventura County firefighters saved all the homes in the area. ROB SCHUMACHER, The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Network

Santos Alvarado, right, and his son Ricky recover a safe from their destroyed home at Seminole Springs Mobile Home Park on Nov. 11, 2018, following devastating wildfires in the area in Agoura Hills, Calif. CHRIS PIZZELLO, AP

Residents look over the damage to a home on Dume Road in Malibu, Calif, which was overrun by the Woosley Fire. The Woosley Fire as of Nov.10, 2018 has consumed 70,000 acres. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Network

A U.S. flag is displayed at half-staff to honor the shooting victims as the Woolsey fire burns on the hill behind a home in Westlake Village. Twelve people were shot and killed Wednesday by gunman Ian David Long who opened fire at the Borderline Bar and Grill. Rob Schumacher, The Arizona Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK

Stanley the Giraffe, one of several exotic animals at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, California, is shrouded in smoke in the aftermath of the Woosley Fire on Nov 10, 2018. The animals on the ranch survived, but several buildings on the property we destroyed or damaged by the fire.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY NETWORK

Firefighters battle flames at a burning apartment complex in Paradise, north of Sacramento, Calif. on Nov. 09, 2018. A rapidly spreading, late-season wildfire in northern California has burned 20,000 acres of land and prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for thousands of people. As many as 1000 homes, a hospital, a Safeway store and scores of other structures have burned in the area as the Camp fire tore through the region. Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images

Burned out trucks and a building on the Saddlerock Ranch property in Malibu, Calif, in the aftermath of the Woosley Fire that as of Nov 10, 2018, reportedly consumed 70,000 acres. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY NETWORK

A police cruiser patrols the neighborhood where the ABC TV series "The Bachelor" is filmed in Beverly Hills, on Nov 10, 2018. The house where series is produced is still standing. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY NETWORK

Araya Cipollini, 19, holds on to her dog T.J. near the burned out remnants of her neighbor's home burned in the Camp Fire, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Paradise, Calif. Cipollini and her family lost their home nearby in the fire. John Locher, AP

Flames send smoke into an Agoura Hills neighborhood in California on Nov. 9, 2018. The Woosley Fire in Ventura County has grown to over 35,000 acres and forced the evacuation of many residents. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY NETWORK

A burned electricity pole fell on an abandoned car along Skyway as seen on Nov. 9, 2018 in Chico, Calif. Cars were abandoned along Skyway at the north end of the town as people tried to escaped on a 2 lanes road. Hung T. Vu, Record Searchlight- USA TODAY Network

In this Friday, Nov. 9, 2018 photo, smoke from the wildires fills the air in Malibu, Calif. Los Angeles County fire Chief Daryl Osby said Saturday that firefighters told him they were working in the toughest, most extreme conditions they had seen in their lives on Friday night. He says conditions are far better Saturday, with a lull in winds that are expected to return Sunday. Ben Watkins, via AP

Bakersfield, California-based firefighter Marc Eyherebide, 33, sprays down a destroyed home with water to prevent it from sparking any more fires in Paradise, Calif., following the Camp Fire devastation on Nov. 9, 2018. Trevor Hughes/USA TODAY

Cathy Fallon wipes her face beside her son Gabriel Fallon as she stands near the charred remains of her home Friday, in Paradise, Calif. "I'll be darned if I'm gonna let those horses burn in the fire" said Fallon, who stayed on her property to protect her 14 horses, "It has to be true love." All of the horses survived. John Locher/AP

Fires burn toward homes on, Nov. 9, 2018, as seen from a helicopter over the Calabasas section of Los Angeles. Flames driven by powerful winds torched dozens of hillside homes in Southern California, burning parts of tony Calabasas and mansions in Malibu and forcing tens of thousands of people — including some celebrities — to flee as the fire marched across the Santa Monica Mountains toward the sea. Mark J. Terrill/AP

Traffic jams the southbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway as all of the city of Malibu is evacuated to flee advancing flames during the Woolsey Fire on Nov. 9, 2018 in Malibu, Calif. About 75,000 homes have been evacuated in Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to two fires in the region. David McNew/Getty Images

The burned remains of the Paradise Elementary school is seen Friday. Blocks and blocks of homes and businesses in the Northern California town have been destroyed by a wildfire. Parts of the town of Paradise were still on fire on Friday. Rich Pedroncelli/AP

A homeowner who was overcome by smoke is attended to by firefighters as the Woolsey Fire swept through the Malibu Lake community. The Woolsey Fire has led to the evacuation order for 75,000 homes. Fires across California fueled by very dry conditions and warm strong Santa Ana winds have destroyed structures and caused fatalities. MIKE NELSON/EPA-EFE

Three cars destroyed by a wildfire sit at a burned out home Friday, in Paradise, Calif. Authorities have confirmed that at least six people have died in the fire that has consumed more than 70,000 acres and destroyed at least 2,000 structures. Rich Pedroncelli/AP

Residents take a look at the Woolsey Fire burning brush and trees in Agoura Hills, Calif. About 75,000 homes have been evacuated in Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to two fires in the region. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Cliff Cole watches the Woolsey Fire burn from a Highway 101 overpass Friday morning. He was evacuated from his home and said he wanted to make sure flames didn't jump the freeway and move toward his house. COLIN ATAGI/THE DESERT SUN

Chief Deputy David Richardson, of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, answers questions about the Woolsey Fire at a news conference at Conejo Creek Park South on Friday morning. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR

A resident wearing a breathing mask runs down Shadow Oaks Place in Thousand Oaks, Calif., as smoke from flames in a hill above the homes fills the neighborhood. Some residents decided to leave their homes as firefighters kept a watchful eye on the fire. Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY

Jeff Riley waits to be evacuated from his home on Shadow Oaks Place, in Thousand Oaks, Calif., with the family dog. Flames on a hill above the neighborhood caused residents to leave their homes. Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY

A fire fighter take cover as high winds whip embers, as the Camp Fire burned out of control through Paradise, fueled by high winds in Butte County, Calif. Nov. 8, 2018. The nearby communities of Pulga, Paradise and Concow, have been ordered to evacuate the area. PETER DASILVA, EPA-EFE

The massive plume from the Camp Fire, burning in the Feather River Canyon near Paradise, Calif., wafts over the Sacramento Valley as seen from Chico, Calif., on Nov. 8, 2018. DAVID LITTLE, The Chico Enterprise-Record via AP

"Moreover, nearly 60 percent of California forests are under federal management, and another two-thirds under private control. It is the federal government that has chosen to divert resources away from forest management, not California."

While Trump's comments were directed at the state of California, Rice said the "shameful" tweet also attacked "all our courageous men and women on the front lines."

Schaitberger echoed that view, writing Trump's word showed a "lack of real comprehension about the disaster at hand and the dangerous job our fire fighters do."